WET AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

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That this House recognises wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as the eye condition that causes the majority of registerable blindness in older people, leaving patients unable to read, drive or, sometimes, live independent lives; notes that within three months wet-AMD can progress to irreversible eye damage and blindness; is aware that photodynamic therapy using the light sensitive drug Visudyne and cold-laser can halt vision loss in many patients; welcomes the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's recommendation of fast track referrals for suspected wet-AMD cases; is extremely concerned, however, that a recent survey by the Macular Disease Society revealed that only half of patients reached the appropriate clinician within the three month window of opportunity and that access to timely treatment varies markedly across the country; and calls on the Government to work with the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales to ensure everyone in the United Kingdom with suspected wet-AMD can access fast track referral to a retinal specialist.